Reddit reviews V Oratene Maintenance Oral Gel 2.5 oz

Adorable pup!

There are two ways that I brush my Corgi's teeth which have great success.

So, first you will need a few things :

• (looks like you have a sample of this) Enzymatic toothpaste
  
  
• Maintenance Oral Gel
  
  
• Toothbursh, I use higher end brushes, which do make a difference. Kid's brushes are the best size or the small head ones. You can find some that are angled as well. For your pup the little finger brush is probably best for now.
  
  
• beef cannoli
  
  So, now that you have that... On to the ways I brush.
  
  Thumb in mouth This method is the most thorough and best approached from the front of the dog
  
  
• Take your index finger and gently rest it across the snout, being gentle and careful to not restrict airway or poke their eyes.
  
• Take your thumb and insert it in between the upper and lower jaw. It should enter one side and come out the other, effectively propping open the jaw and exposing the teeth while keep their tongue busy. Be careful here when doing this with any dog as you can lose a thumb if the dog is likely to bite or clamp down. Starting early usually mitigates the risk. Use your judgement!
  
• Brush each tooth in a gentle circular motion, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies. I reapply toothpaste once per side. Be sure to gently brush around the gums as you can cause the gums to recede and wear away enamel if you are too forceful or use too stiff a brush. Treat them like your teeth.
  
• Brush the insides of the teeth if you can reach.
  
• Brush the tongue afterwards or let them lick the remaining paste off the brush to help clean the tongue.
  
• Afterwards, take the maintenance gel, apply about a .5 to 1inch line of gel on the upper and low gums of each side. I like to rub his lips on this to disperse but they are supposed to lick it and disperse it themselves.
  
• Give your pup a nice chewy, such as a tendon. Make sure they aren't made in China! I prefer ones made in the USA or Germany. Be careful with made and distributed / packaged in markings... Essentially, don't skimp! These are great occupiers, help prevent chewing on things you like, and also help keep their teeth clean, like those pesky molars!
  
  Now the second way...
  
  Closed mouth quick brush. This method is great for if you don't have a lot of time or the dog is a biter.
  
  
• Place your thumb across their snout.
  
• place the rest of your hand underneath their jaw, effectively holding their mouth shut. Be gentle here!
  
• slip the toothbrush between the lips. You can do this step first if it is easier for you.
  
• brush like normal, trying to get everything
  
• Let them open their mouth slightly and slide the toothbrush in between their front canines.
  
• brush the inside of their teeth
  
• brush their tongue
  
• apply gel as above
  
• Give your pup a nice chewy, such as a tendon.
  
  Hopefully this helps you! If you do this 1-2 times daily and provide high quality chewy snacks like tendons, you should reduce the need for dental visits at the vet of complete remove the need. Do pay attention to the gums and teeth though and consulate a vet for further advice.

Our vet recommended a dental gel called Biotene Maintenance Oral Gel (the one with enzymes) - you rub it on their gums (or use it with a cat toothbrush). You can use it on your dogs too.